Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Most people picture Kerala’s backwaters and forests, but its creative side often comes as a surprise. Art galleries in Kerala navigate a balance between the old and the new, from traditional paintings to contemporary installations. In Thiruvananthapuram, heritage museums focus on classical art. In Kochi, the studios hum with photography and boundary-pushing experiments. Some galleries aren’t just about exhibitions; they host talks, residencies, and even casual meetups where locals and travellers end up in the same room. One day you might be staring at centuries-old canvases, the next you’re sipping coffee in a gallery café or stumbling into a side event connected to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
Top 10 Art Galleries In Kerala
Art galleries in Kerala can surprise you. One minute you’re staring at an old canvas, the next you’re walking into a room filled with experimental installations. Certain galleries work more like social corners than museums, with artists, residents, and travellers gathering around tables, often over coffee.
1. Sree Chitra Art Gallery
Photo: Shagil Kannur / Wikimedia Commons
The Sree Chitra Art Gallery in Thiruvananthapuram, situated within the Napier Museum grounds, is regarded as one of Kerala’s key cultural destinations. Its biggest draw is the collection of Raja Ravi Varma paintings and oleographs, which show both royal themes and scenes from Indian mythology. The Bengal School is also well represented, with works by Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, and Jamini Roy. Beyond Indian masters, the gallery holds Asian art too, Tibetan Thangka scrolls, Balinese pieces, and a handful of rare collections. Mughal and Rajput miniatures are displayed with notes that explain their background.
Highlights: Raja Ravi Varma works, Bengal School, Asian paintings
Entry Fee: ₹25
Suggested Read: Kerala Travel Guide
2. Durbar Hall Art Centre
Photo: Fan Yang / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Durbar Hall Art Centre in Ernakulam is often called the best art gallery in Kerala for those wanting to see contemporary work on a large scale. Operated by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, the venue has been restored into a spacious modern centre with professional lighting, wide halls, and display areas designed to hold both major installations and carefully curated exhibitions. National and international shows are a regular feature here, covering painting, sculpture, photography, and even digital art. Beyond exhibitions, the space runs regular workshops and talks that bring together students, upcoming talent, and experienced artists.
Highlights: Contemporary shows, workshops, state-run exhibitions
Entry Fee: Free
3. Kashi Art Gallery
Photo: Richard Wang / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kashi Art Gallery in Fort Kochi is widely regarded as one of the top art galleries in Kerala, a place where contemporary expression meets the charm of a relaxed café. Housed in a restored heritage home, it has played a key role in shaping the modern art movement of Fort Kochi and still stands as a hub for both emerging and established artists. Exhibitions cover a wide range of media, from paintings and photography to mixed-media installations and experimental works influenced by local traditions as well as global ideas.
Highlights: Contemporary art, photography, installations
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Amazing Things To Do In Kerala
4. David Hall Gallery & Cafe
Photo: Riccardo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
David Hall Gallery & Café in Fort Kochi is a heritage venue that has gained recognition as a distinctive painting art gallery in Kerala. Set inside a carefully preserved 17th-century Dutch bungalow, the space blends colonial architecture with a lively program of contemporary exhibitions. Although the shows often include photography and installations, painting remains at the heart of its displays, with works by both established names and younger artists set against lofty wooden ceilings and open interiors. Beyond visual art, David Hall has grown into a cultural hotspot that hosts music performances, theatre evenings, and literary gatherings.
Highlights: Painting, photography, heritage Dutch bungalow
Entry Fee: Free
5. Pepper House
Photo: Matheus Natan / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Pepper House in Fort Kochi began life as a Dutch spice warehouse in the 1500s. Today, it’s been restored but still keeps the bones of that old building, wide halls opening into courtyards and a café that faces the backwaters. Exhibitions rotate often, mostly contemporary and sometimes experimental, mixing local roots with global conversations. The place is tied closely to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, used as a venue during the festival and busy with programs even when the Biennale is off-season. A small library lines one wing, the open courtyard holds workshops and screenings, and the café has become a natural meeting point for travellers and locals.
Highlights: Biennale venue, library
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Kochi
6. Kerala Museum Arts Gallery
Photo: Nichika Sakurai / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kerala Museum Arts Gallery in Edappally is part of a bigger complex that also houses the Museum of Kerala History and the Dolls Museum. This wing focuses on painting and sculpture. You’ll find works by Raja Ravi Varma and Nicholas Roerich here, placed beside newer pieces that reflect how art in the state has shifted over time. The rooms aren’t grand, but the displays are clear and easy to follow. Guided tours and storytelling sessions run often, useful if you want context instead of just names on plaques.
Highlights: Ravi Varma’s works, sculptures, and contemporary pieces
Entry Fee: ₹100 for adults & ₹75 for students
7. Gallery OED
Photo: SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Gallery OED in Mattancherry has grown into one of the best museums and art galleries in Kerala, noted for its focus on contemporary practice. The exhibitions here cover painting, drawing, mixed media, and installation, giving space to new voices as well as established names. Shows often lean toward experimentation, encouraging conversations that reach beyond technique into cultural themes and social issues. The setting adds another layer. The gallery sits in the historic lanes of Kochi, surrounded by spice warehouses, antique shops, and the old Synagogue, so a visit usually blends with a walk through these streets.
Highlights: Contemporary and experimental exhibitions
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Museums In Kochi
8. Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery
Photo: Klkgallery4 / Wikimedia Commons
The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery in Thrissur is counted among the most important state-run cultural venues and continues to hold a central place in the network of art galleries in Kerala. As the headquarters of the Akademi, it works on several levels: hosting regular exhibitions, running artist camps, and administering statewide programs and awards that promote the visual arts. The building itself has gallery halls, a library, and rooms set aside for cultural activities, so it serves not only as a display space but also as a resource for students and professionals.
Highlights: State exhibitions, student shows, artist camps
Entry Fee: Free
9. Kerala Folklore Museum
Photo: Oleg Yunakov / Wikimedia Commons
More than a collection of artefacts, the Kerala Folklore Museum in Thevara has taken shape as an art venue where traditional and modern visual forms appear side by side. The building itself is striking, built in a hand-crafted style and spread across three levels that together hold more than 4,000 items. Masks, sculptures, ritual objects, bronze lamps, and paintings line the halls, giving a dense picture of Kerala’s heritage. The museum also includes an art gallery, where classical paintings are shown next to folk-style creations that blur craft and fine art. Each level takes on its own theme: one looks at performance, another at tribal culture, another at rituals.
Highlights: 4,000+ artefacts, ritual masks, sculptures, paintings
Entry Fee: Around ₹100–200 per adult
Suggested Read: Bay Island Driftwood Museum
10. Chithrasala Art Gallery
Photo: Vija Rindo Pratama / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Located within the Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, Chithrasala Art Gallery strengthens the reach of Kerala’s art museums. The gallery provides space for painters and other artists from across the state, displaying pieces that move from traditional styles to new and experimental approaches. Exhibitions change often, so visitors find different themes and perspectives each season. The gallery does not stand alone; it is part of a wider cultural campus that also holds workshops, literary gatherings, festivals, and performances, allowing various disciplines to meet in one place.
Highlights: Classical to contemporary art, rotating shows
Entry Fee: ₹25
Exploring art galleries in Kerala offers a glimpse into its evolving culture and creativity. From classical pieces at Sree Chitra to bold, modern works in Fort Kochi, each gallery adds a unique voice. Many also host workshops, performances, and cafés, making them vibrant cultural hubs. For travellers, it’s more than just art—it’s a journey through Kerala’s changing identity. Plan your trip today with TripXL for an inspiring, art-filled escape.
Cover Photo: zero take / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
